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BEIJING: The death toll from a fire at a hospital in Beijing on Tuesday has risen to 29 people, Chinese authorities said on Wednesday. Twelve people have been arrested in connection with the tragedy.

A day after the fire at Changfeng Hospital in Fengtai District, south-west of the Chinese capital, the deputy chief of the city's fire department pointed to renovation work as a possible cause. According to initial findings, sparks were believed to have ignited flammable materials, reported German news agency (dpa). 

Twelve people, including the head of the hospital and two employees of the construction company, have been detained.

The fire brigade rescued 142 patients from the blaze and transferred them to other hospitals, state media reported. 

Most of the fatalities were bedridden elderly patients. Several doctors and nurses suffered burns.

Authorities ordered security checks in all hospitals in the capital in response to the fire, China Daily reported.